Evaporator



F. W. HICKS EVAPORATOR Dec. 20, 1932.

' Filed Dec. 26, 1951 INVENTOR. ,fiEJZ T L k2 H/fli I m W ATTORNEY},

Patented Dec. 20,1932

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK W. HICKS, OI DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO MCCORD RADIATOR &; a

' II'G. 00., O! DETBDIT, MICHIGAN, A. CORPORATION 01' MAINE EVAPORATOR Application filed December 26, 1981. Serial No. 588,832.

This invention relates to evaporators and more particularly to evaporators of the fin and tube type as used in commerical refrigerating systems.

The object of the invention is to improve the construction of the evaporators and more particularly with respect to the manner in which the outer edges of the fin plates are connected and spaced apart.

The nature of the construction and the novel advantages obtained thereby will be more fully pointed out in the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an evaporator unit embodying the features of my invention and shown in association with similar units as in a commercial installation;

Figure 2 is an enlarged end view of the unit;

Figure 3 is a side view of the unit with a pogtion in section for the sake of illustration; an

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the connecting strips disposed for insertion into the slots or kerfs in the margins of the fin plates of the unit.

As shown in the drawing, the evaporator unit comprises a multiplicity ofrelatively fiat rectangular fin plates 1, 1, secured to a conduit 2 in the desired spaced relation along the same. The plates 1 have substantially the same areas and are made of relatively thin sheet metal of the desired thermal conductivity, such as copper.

The conduit 2 may be made of copper or other desired metal and extends through the entire assembly offin plates through alined holes or apertures therein. The latter are, of a size that the conduit has a driving fit therein to obtain a tight metal to metal contact between the fin plates and the conduit. The conduit is preferably in the form of a seamless tube and the holes therefor in the fin plates are flanged as at 3 to increase the metal contact of the plates with the tube.

The tube 2 is preferably in U-form with both legs of the U extending through all of the fin plates. The ends of the tube are at one end of the unit and are there provided with suitable fittings 4, 4 by means of which the tube or conduit of one unit maybe connected to the tube or conduit of a similar unit by a coupling bend 5, as shown in Fi re 1. The non-circular parts 6 of the fittings 4 seat in similarly shaped recesses 7 7 formed in the adjacent fin plate 1 about the tube to hold the fittings against turning, as shown in Figure 3. The fittings 4 have screw-threaded outer ends to receive the coupling nuts or unions 8 on the coupling bend 5, as shown.

The evaporator units, when installed in a refrigerating system, are usually arranged with their tubes 2 horizontal or substantially so, and their fin plates 1 upright or vertical, as shown in Figure 1. The tubes of the various units are connected in series, that is, the outlet end of a tube of one unit is connect ed with the inlet end of a tube of the adjacent unit. The inlet and outlet ends of the tubes of the units at the extreme ends of the assembly are connected with the refrigerating circuit so that the refrigerant may be circulated through the tubes. The return bend of the tube of a unit is at the end of the unit op osite its inlet and outlet end.

11 accordance with my invention, each fin plate 1 is provided with a slot or kerf 9 at each of the four corners thereof, as shown. The slots are alike in width and depth and each extends into its plate at approximately a 45 angle to the adjacent outer edges of the plate. The slots are made to receive flat connector strips 10, 10 of metal, there being a strip 10 for each row of slots. The strips are of a size to fit their respective slots and when inserted therein are disposed within the margins of the fin plates, as shown in Figure 2. The strips 10 extend the full length of the unit as provided by the assembly of fin plates and when secured thereto connect the plates to gether at their corners and hold the outer edgesof the plates in proper spaced relation.

The strips 10 are solder-coated or tinned prior to being inserted into their slots so that the strips may be soldered to the fin plates at the same time the plates are soldered to the tube when baking the unit assembly in an oven for that purpose. The tube or the plates or both are solder-coated so that the parts may be soldered in a baking oven.

With the members 10 in fiat strip form, less material is required to connect and space the i outer edges of the fin lates because the strips are not required to em race the corners of the fin plates as when angle brackets are employed as heretofore. With slots or kerfs in the fin plates to receive the strips, less labor is required to assemble and secure the strips to the plates. The an 1e brackets require individual soldering o. the bracket to the fin plates than the angle brackets and moreover the unit is neater in appearance. The flat strips also present edges from which moisture and ice may drop more readily when the evaporator is on a defrosting cycle. The angle brackets hindered this because of the horizontal flat surfaces presented by the walls of the brackets when the units are in use.

The .arrangement of parts and details of construction may be variously changed and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, except as pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An evaporator of the character described, comprising a conduit, a multiplicity of relatively flat fin plates secured to the conduit in spaced relation along the same, said plates extending outward from the conduit and being in a form having corners, said plates having a kerf or slot in each of the corners thereof, and flat strips secured to the plates in said slots for holding the outer edges of the plates properly spaced.

2. An evaporator of the character described, comprising a conduit, a multiplicity of relatively fiat fin plates in rectangular form secured to the conduit in spaced relation along the same, said plates extending outward from the conduit and having a kerf or slot at each of the four corners thereof, said slots extending into the plates in angular relation to the adjacent edges of the plates, and flat strips secured to the plates in said slots for holding the outer edges of the plates properly spaced, said strips fitting in their respective slots and each extending the full length of the assembly of plates.

3. An evaporator of the character described, comprising a U-shaped conduit, a multiplicity of relatively flat fin plates in rectangular form secured to both legs of the con-,

duit in spaced relation along the same, said plates extending outward from the conduit and having a kerf or slot at each of the four corners thereof,'and flat strips secured to the plates in said slots for holding the outer edges of the plates properly spaced, said strips filling their respective slots and each bein in the form of a one-piece member extending the full length of the assembly of plates.

4. An evaporator unit comprising a pipe adapted to contain a refrigerant, rectangular fins mounted in spaced relation on the pipe transversely thereto, and means for connect-' ing the fins together along adjacent corners thereof comprlsing a flat metal strip confined in slots extending diagonally inwardly from the corners of the fins.

5. An evaporator unit comprising a pipe adapted to contain a refrigerant, rectangular fins mounted in spaced relation on the pipe transversely thereto, and means for connecting the fins together along adjacent corners thereof comprising a fiat metal strip confined in slots extending diagonally inwardly from the corners of the fins, the outer edge of the strip terminating at the apex of each corner.

6. An evaporator comprising a pi e coiled to provide parallel portions adapte to contain a refrigerant, spaced rectangular fins mounted on the pipe portions, said fins having a series of alined recesses extending to the corners of the fins, and a metal strip confined within said recesses and terminating at the apex of each corner.

7. An evaporator comprising a continuous pipe coil having parallel courses, a series of spaced parallel rectangular fins mounted on said pipe coil, metal strips joining the fins at adjacent corners thereof and extending. diagonally from the apices of the corners inwardly.

In witness whereof, I hereto afiix my signature.

FREDERICK W. HICKS. 

